11 abandoned places around the world that are now must-visit travel attractions
Discover 11 abandoned places that have found new life as tourist attractions. From haunted hospitals and ghost towns to sunken prisons and forgotten islands, explore these eerie yet fascinating destinations around the world.
Time does not simply pass—it leaves footprints. And in certain corners of the world, those footprints have formed entire towns, islands, and structures that were once brimming with life but later forsaken to the elements. Whether left behind due to disaster, industrial collapse, or shifting politics, these locations sat in silence for decades—until the world found intrigue in their stillness. Now, these forsaken landscapes are stirring with new purpose. Travelers, photographers, historians, and seekers of the unusual are retracing their stories. These 11 abandoned places—once left to decay—have found their second act as spellbinding tourist destinations. (Image: Canva)
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1. Pripyat, Ukraine Built in 1970 to house workers of the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant, Pripyat was evacuated in the wake of the 1986 meltdown. Decades of radioactive exclusion left schools half-finished, amusement rides unused, and nature reclaiming streets. Today, guided visits offer a sobering journey through Soviet-era ruins and a haunting reminder of science gone awry. (Image: Canva)
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2. Hashima Island, Japan Often called "Battleship Island" for its silhouette, Hashima was a densely packed coal-mining facility in the early 20th century. When the mines closed in 1974, the island was deserted almost overnight. Tour boats now ferry visitors to this concrete relic in the sea—an industrial tombstone eroded by salt, wind, and time. (Image: Canva)
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3. The Maunsell Sea Forts, England Raised in the Thames Estuary during World War II, these rusting steel towers once protected Britain from enemy aircraft. Abandoned post-war and battered by decades of tides, they now resemble alien outposts. Accessible by private boat, they remain a surreal fixture on the horizon for maritime wanderers. (Image: Canva)
4. Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, Denmark For over a century, this lighthouse stood its ground on Denmark’s North Sea coast, slowly losing its footing to advancing dunes. By 2019, it was moved inland to preserve its structure. Now standing amid shifting sands, it draws visitors intrigued by both its resilience and the stark, sculpted beauty of the surrounding cliffs. (Image: Canva)
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5. Tianducheng, China Built in 2007 as a miniature Paris—with an Eiffel Tower replica and French-style boulevards—Tianducheng quickly became a symbol of overambitious urban planning. Initially abandoned due to lack of buyers, it’s since begun to attract tourists eager to explore its surreal European facsimile nestled in rural China. (Image: Canva)
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6. Craco, Italy Craco’s history stretches back to the 8th century, but landslides and earthquakes in the mid-20th century forced its residents to flee. Left deserted, its sun-bleached stone structures remain untouched by modern development. Film crews and curious travelers now wander its alleyways, captivated by its medieval stillness. (Image: Canva)
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7. Pyramiden, Svalbard, Norway This Soviet mining town above the Arctic Circle was once a thriving community of 1,000. After its abrupt closure in 1998, it was left virtually untouched. Today, with its abandoned swimming pool, Lenin statue, and polar wilderness, it welcomes guided tours offering a rare look at Arctic life frozen in time. (Image: Canva)
8. Kennecott, Alaska, USA When copper mining ceased in 1938, Kennecott became a ghost town in the Alaskan wilderness. Preserved as part of a national park, its towering red mill buildings and eerie silence now fascinate visitors eager for a glimpse of frontier life and industrial ambition left to rust. (Image: Canva)
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9. Rummu Prison, Estonia Abandoned in the early 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union, Rummu’s prison and adjacent quarry slowly flooded. Today, the crystal-clear waters conceal submerged ruins, making it an otherworldly spot for swimming, paddleboarding, and diving—if you're brave enough to float above its dark history. (Image: Canva)
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10. Deception Island, Antarctica This horseshoe-shaped island once hosted whalers and scientists, but volcanic eruptions in the 1960s forced its abandonment. Still active and inhospitable, the island now sees seasonal visits from cruise passengers who walk its ash-covered beaches and abandoned outposts, often amid drifting steam. (Image: Canva)
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11. Citadelle Laferrière, Haiti Though not forgotten, this vast 19th-century fortress atop Haiti’s Bonnet à l’Evêque mountain was long overlooked due to its remote location. Built to deter French invasion after independence, it now welcomes travelers who make the journey up for panoramic views and a lesson in Haiti’s defiant past. (Image: Canva)
Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytelling—both visual and textual—across travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.
![2. Hashima Island, Japan Often called "Battleship Island" for its silhouette, Hashima was a densely packed coal-mining facility in the early 20th century. When the mines closed in 1974, the island was deserted almost overnight. Tour boats now ferry visitors to this concrete relic in the sea—an industrial tombstone eroded by salt, wind, and time. (Image: Canva)](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/07/20250714125231_2-abondoned-places-to-visit.jpg "2. Hashima Island, Japan Often called "Battleship Island" for its silhouette, Hashima was a densely packed coal-mining facility in the early 20th century. When the mines closed in 1974, the island was deserted almost overnight. Tour boats now ferry visitors to this concrete relic in the sea—an industrial tombstone eroded by salt, wind, and time. (Image: Canva)")
